D071 Dimitri Omersa vintage leather donkey footstool

• manufacturer/type:

Omersa United Kingdom

• designer, year:

Dimitri Omersa, ±1962

• material:
leather

• measurements:

48cm high, 70cm width, 25cm deep

• condition:

Beautiful vintage condition with nice patina on leather consisting with age.

• background:

One of the famous and cult animals produced in leather and to be used as a footstool. Designed by Dimitri Omersa in the late fifties, early sixties from a range of different designs/animals. So far we’ve see an elaphant, pig, donkey, kangaroo, rhino and bull.
Highly collectible, create your own private zoo!

• literature:
None found so far
For some more information about the Omersa history: click here
Or make a visit to the Omersa company:
http://www.omersa.co.uk/pages/history.html

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D071: Dimitri Omersa vintage leather donkey footstool

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Dimitri and Inge Omersa (1958 - 1985) Dimitri Omersa and his wife Inge came to England in 1955 and settled in Lavender Croft, a sanctuary for refugees in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Dimitri Omersa, a Yuglosav by birth, had been a naval officer and a political prisoner; he was imprisoned by Tito for 10 years after the second world war. Dimitri Omersa entered the leather trade in the UK and whilst representing a small leather company in Hitchin he met ‘Old Bill’ at Liberty’s. ‘Old Bill’ was due to retire and a deal was struck for Dimitri Omersa to take over the business and continue the supply of pigs to Liberty's. The business was brought to Hitchin in 1958 and before long Dimitri Omersa had ideas for other animals!

His first new piece was the elephant, followed by the donkey and rhinocerous. Initially, Liberty's were sceptical of the rhino but it became a "best seller" and subsequently formed the Omersa logo. In the UK, the animals were sold exclusively through Liberty's up until the mid 1970's. Animals made up until the mid 70's can be found with the words "LIBERTY OF LONDON" embossed on the underside of an ear.
Dimitri Omersa had to look overseas to expand his market. He took the animals to North America and in 1963 won a Gold medal at the Californian State Fair for the donkey. The animals were sold through Abercrombie and Fitch during the 1960's - 80's and developed a significant following in the USA which we continue to enjoy.
Dimitri Omersa passed away in 1975 and the business continued under the supervision of his wife, Inge until 1985. (source: www.omersa.co.uk/pages/history.html )